Isabel Cosio Carballo, MPA
Executive Director
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Senator Steve Geller
SFRPC Chair
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SFRPC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AND MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MICHELLE LINCOLN ELECTED FIRST VP OF FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES |
We are honored to congratulate SFRPC Executive Board Member and Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln on being elected as the First Vice President of the Florida Association of Counties at its annual conference in Orlando, Florida on June 30, 2023. Lincoln previously served as Second Vice President and sits on many policy committees, including the Health, Safety, and Justice and the Water and Environmental Sustainability committees. |
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“Public service is something I truly enjoy,” said Lincoln. “By continuing to serve on the association’s executive committee, I have the opportunity to assist my community in a unique way by being their representative at a state and national level.”
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RESILIENT FLORIDA PROGRAM STAFF OFFERING IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL
OFFICE HOURS TO ASSIST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH RESILIENT
FLORIDA GRANT APPLICATIONS
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During the Resilient Florida Grants Application Portal opening (through July 1 – Sept. 1), staff are traveling around the state from August 7-10, 2023, to foster relationships with local governments and provide in-person resources and assistance. Staff will be available to assist with eligibility questions, pre-submittal application review, technical assistance with the application portal and general questions about current grants or applications.
West Palm Beach (In-Person)
Day/time: Thursday, August 10, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, EDT
Location: DEP Southeast District Office
3301 Gun Club Rd, MSC 7210-1, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Grant Application Portal Office Hours – (Virtual)
Resilient Florida is holding virtual “office hours” via Microsoft Teams during the pre-application assistance period and during the application cycle (July 1- Sept. 1). Office hours are recurring on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. EDT and Thursday afternoons from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT.
When: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
When: Thursdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
For additional information, please contact Regional Resilience Planner Hailey Lazzaroni at hlazzaroni@sfrpc.com.
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U.S. EDA ANNOUNCES THE “RECOMPETE PILOT PROGRAM” FUNDING OPPORTUNITY |
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The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has launched the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) notice of funding opportunity. The program is an economic development initiative to spur economic activity in geographically diverse and persistently distressed communities across the country. Specifically, this program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average.
To support applicants in determining geographic eligibility, EDA – in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory – released the Recompete Eligibility Mapping Tool. Please click here to access the tool, which includes a user-friendly map and instructional materials. Additional resources, including Fact Sheets and FAQs, can be found at eda.gov/Recompete.
For additional information, please contact Community & Economic Development Program Manager Eralda Agolli at eagolli@sfrpc.com.
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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA CLIMATE CHANGE COMPACT TO HOST A WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 8TH ON CONDUCTING STATUTORY COMPLIANT VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS: RELEVANT DATA, RESOURCES, AND INCORPORATING RAINFALL |
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In partnership with the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, environmental consulting firm Hazen and Sawyer will present a capacity-building workshop on Tuesday, August 8th . for local governments and the consulting community that provides vulnerability assessment services to local governments across the region. This workshop is particularly well-suited for communities that have fewer internal resources to advance vulnerability assessments.
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The workshop will build upon information presented at the Compact workshop “Readying Southeast Florida Communities for Resiliency Funding: Leveraging Existing Data and Best Practices for Vulnerability Assessments” hosted in August of 2021. The workshop is designed to share lessons learned regarding the vulnerability assessment processes and key takeaways and best practices for engagement through the vulnerability assessment process. The workshop will also outline the state requirements and resources available to local governments, identify and share relevant regional and county-level data sets, and present methodology related to the incorporation of rainfall flood inundation.
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U.S. EPA AWARDS THE SFRPC $1 MILLION FOR BROWNFIELDS CLEAN UP AND $500K FOR BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENTS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY |
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The South Florida Regional Planning Council has been selected for a $1,000,000 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the South Florida Regional Planning Council will provide at least three loans and one subgrant to support cleanup activities.
Grant funds also will be used to market the RLF program and conduct community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on central Miami in a predominantly low-income community. Priority sites include the 2-acre former Orkin Site, the 20-acre Poinciana Industrial Center assemblage property, and the 4.3-acre Northside Transit-Oriented Development property.
Additionally, the South Florida Regional Planning Council has been selected for a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct eight Phase I and six Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also be used to develop a site inventory, prepare seven cleanup and five reuse plans, and conduct community outreach activities in the City of Homestead.
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For additional information, please contact Senior Loan Officer, Jeff Tart at jtart@sfrpc.com. |
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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC.
COMPLETES THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
IN HOLLYWOOD, FL
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Liberia Economic and Social Development Inc. has successfully completed the development of two (2) affordable single-family residential homes for first-time minority homebuyers. Financing for the construction of the homes was provided by a partnership of the Southeast Florida Community Development Fund, Inc., and the Urban League of Broward County/Central County Commission Development Corporation. |
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We congratulate the homebuyers of 2351 and 2361 Raleigh Street, Hollywood, Florida and wish them much happiness in their new homes.
The Southeast Florida Community Development Fund, Inc. (SFCDFI) was created in 2014 by the SFRPC to promote community and economic development, provide access to capital for small businesses, and incentivize job creation for low- and moderate-income individuals. A primary activity of the SFCDFI is working with minority builders to create affordable housing opportunities.
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For additional information, please contact Senior Loan Officer, Jeff Tart at jtart@sfrpc.com. |
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SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL MILITARY INSTALLATION RESILIENCE REVIEW |
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The South Florida Military Installation Resilience Review (South Florida MIRR), funded by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation with matching funds from the Florida Defense Task Force, is reaching completion. The South Florida Military Resilience Strategy: Mission Assurance through Community Resilience report is undergoing final review and will be released shortly.
Led by the SFRPC, with consultants Jacobs Engineering and the South Florida Defense Alliance, this strategy addresses the risks, hazards, and vulnerabilities of concern related to the ability of the military to carry out its missions by identifying investments and solutions outside of the fence line in the surrounding communities.
Over the last 18 months, the South Florida MIRR Project Team has been diligently working in partnership with the military commands and key local stakeholders to enhance the resilience of the following South Florida’s defense installations:
- Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB),
- Miami-Dade County United States Army Garrison-Miami (USAG-Miami),
- South Florida Ocean Measurement Facility (SFOMF), and
- United States Naval Air Station Key West (NASKW).
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For additional information, please contact Principal Planner Christina Miskis at cmiskis@sfrpc.com. |
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SFRPC BOARD MET IN KEY LARGO ON JUNE 16TH AND RECEIVED
PRESENTATIONS ON PROPERTY AND FLOOD INSURANCE AND MONROE COUNTY RESILIENCE PLANNING EFFORTS
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The South Florida Regional Planning Council held its monthly meeting on Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center located in Key Largo, FL. Special guests included:
The Honorable Jim Mooney, Jr., State Representative, 120th District, spoke about the impacts of sea level rise and the importance of resiliency to Monroe County’s island communities, encroachment on the Everglades, water supply, and sinking infrastructure among other topics. He discussed the importance of working collaboratively to solve the challenges facing Florida residents.
Rhonda Haag, Chief Resilience Officer, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, gave a detailed update on the Monroe County Resiliency Efforts. Her presentation showed the sea level rise projections, the Resiliency Planning and Living Shoreline Projects, the municipal projects managed by the County, Roadway Vulnerability Study, Adaptation Plan and Program Cost, funding, Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study, etc.
Mr. Paul Handerhan, President of the Federal Association for Insurance Reform (FAIR) and the FAIR Foundation, updated the Councilmembers on Property and Flood Insurance for the State of Florida. Citizens Insurance is the only insurance that the tri-county has access to since there are few private market options, and private market insurance will not be available for quite a few years. In the short term, pricing will become more expensive in the tri-county area and should see some stabilization in time. New legislative requirements for flood insurance can be purchased in the private market or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP rehauled the pricing, zoning, property height, housing construction material, and the Program’s structure in detail. The Insurer Accountability Bill was passed to provide more oversight over the insurance companies and the Office of Insurance Regulations will now have regulatory oversight of the insurance companies.
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ICE MECHANICS' INTRODUCTION TO EV MAINTENANCE
APPROVED FOR PILOT
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The Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition has partnered with West Virginia University and Sheridan Technical College on a U.S. Department of Energy grant application to develop an electric vehicle (EV) technician program. The “Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Mechanics Introduction to EV Repair: a national franchise training model for diversifying the expertise of today’s auto technician” was recently approved for funding through the U.S. Department of Energy.
The “ICE Mechanics Introduction to EV Repair” envisions the development and deployment of a sustainable, scalable model for delivering a standards-driven, continuing education, focused on EV maintenance for employees who do not work for Original Equipment Manufacturer dealership networks. The project strategically targets four locations across the country to pilot a hybrid EV course for 60 hours to be delivered to approximately 40 to 60 workers who want EV maintenance and repair skills.
Alisha Lopez, the Clean Cities Director at the South Florida Regional Planning Council, will lead the Coalition’s involvement in the project in coordination with Barrett Goldman, Assistant Director, at Sheridan Technical College. The Coalition and Sheridan Technical College will be responsible for coordinating stakeholder engagement, outreach, and education planning and activities with Justice40 Initiative planning in the Southeast Florida market.
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For additional information, please contact Clean Cities Director Alisha Lopez at alopez@sfrpc.com. |
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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA CLEAN CITIES COALITION AND SOUTH FLORIDA
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE HOST ELECTRIC & PROPANE
SCHOOL BUS FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING
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Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition (Coalition) and the South Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Region 10 identified alternative fuel first responder training needs for Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. Today’s alternative fuel vehicles are vastly different than traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles. First responders must receive training to understand the new mechanical features of alternative fuel vehicles to ensure public safety in the event of an incident. To help meet this need, the Coalition and the LEPC hosted an alternative fuel training for electric and propane school buses on May 18, 2023.
Alternative fuel training for school buses was selected to coincide with Broward County Public School’s (BCPS) contract with Blue Bird to supply 60 new electric school buses. The order replaced part of BCPS diesel fleet with zero-emission vehicles through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement Trust fund. This deal marks the largest electric school bus fleet purchase in Blue Bird’s history. BCPS also operates the largest propane school bus fleet in the state.
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The training was held in partnership with the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition, Florida Transportation Systems, Inc.; the provider of the school buses; Roush, Blue Bird, the LEPC, and City of Hollywood Fire Rescue & Beach Safety. The training was hosted at the City of Hollywood Fire Rescue Training Facility in Broward County at no cost. The EV school bus training was provided by Blue Bird and the propane training was provided by Roush. The electric vehicle and propane training helps to ensure public safety continues to be a priority.
Approximately 50 first responders from Miami-Dade and Broward counties participated in this standing-room only training opportunity. The responders rotated between a classroom and outside, hands-on training. The classroom training provided an overview of the propane system and the electric vehicle battery. During the hands-on component of the training, responders were able to climb on board and underneath the propane and EV school buses to thoroughly examine engine mechanics and structural components and to field questions directly to the manufacturers. The program was well-received, and plans are in the works to provide additional alternative fuel vehicles training later in FY 2023.
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For additional information, please contact Clean Cities Director Alisha Lopez at alopez@sfrpc.com or South Florida LEPC Coordinator Charlene Burke at cburke@sfrpc.com. |
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SFRPC PARTNERING WITH MIAMI-DADE TPO TO STUDY NEXUS BETWEEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TRANSIT |
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The SFRPC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for South Florida(CEDS) identified affordable and workforce housing as a critical issue. The CEDS implementation phase is supportive of ensuring that affordable housing options are strategically developed around transit hubs, creating sustainable and inclusive communities.
This summer, the SFRPC and the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization have partnered to study the nexus between affordable housing and transit hubs. The study will examine the following:
- Existing policies on the nexus between affordable housing and transportation;
- Existing and projected affordable housing demand and supply in proximity to SMART Program hubs and corridors;
- Two station areas case studies to analyze projected affordable housing availability in the future (to include proposed developments);
- A fact sheet comparing Miami-Dade County's affordable housing policies with other areas locally and nationally; and
- A Resource Library for special issues that affect the nexus, such as climate.
The study is expected to be completed by September 2023 and will provide a number of benefits, including:
- A better understanding of the relationship between affordable housing and transportation.
- A more comprehensive approach to planning for transportation and affordable housing.
- Improved coordination between transportation and affordable housing agencies.
- Increased access to affordable housing for all residents.
For additional information, please contact Principal Planner Christina Miskis at
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FREE STATE-FUNDED CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS EDUCATION & TECHNICAL TRAINING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR |
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UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
Monday, July 31, 2023 @ 10:30 a.m. (SFRPC, Hollywood)
August 2023 - SUMMER RECESS - No Meeting Scheduled
Monday, September 18, 2023 @ 10:30 a.m. (SFRPC, Hollywood)
October 2023 – SFRPC/TCRPC Annual Conference (TBD)
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